2023 Raiders Mock Draft: End Of Season

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In the second year of the McDaniels/Ziegler regime, the Raiders look to use the draft to surround their veterans with young talent.

The Las Vegas Raiders need youthful upgrades at just about every position group on the field. For one of the few times in recent memory, the team lacks speed and playmaking ability at all three levels. As a result, the 2023 NFL Draft becomes more important when trying to catch the Chiefs. With that said, post-2022 season, the Raiders could choose this route.

7th Overall Pick (C.J. Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State)

The Raiders let their nine-year starter walk. For good, bad, or indifferent, that leaves a crater at quarterback. While they presumably start a veteran bridge early next season, the team must invest in a franchise player. Stroud, blessed with arm strength and more importantly poise and accuracy could lead this team for the next decade or so.

38th Overall Pick (Calijah Kancey, Defensive Tackle, Pitt)

Five hurries and three sacks were the sum total of what defensive tackles brought to the 2022 table. Although Kancey is undersized, he anchors against the run. More importantly, he brings burst and disruption to the interior of the defensive line. Patrick Graham needs to let go of the affinity for large defensive linemen and chose the one that can get into the backfield. Kancey could make life easier for the edge rushers when paired with a nose tackle to do the dirty work.

70th Overall Pick (Deonte Banks, Defensive Back, Maryland)

Banks, a long-limbed Terp corner slides into the defensive backfield for the Raiders. If Rock Ya-Sin returns, that gives Vegas one outside cornerback. if you look up and down the roster, you see cornerbacks that surrendered fifteen passing touchdowns. Only one belonged to Ya-Sin. As a result, pairing Banks and Ya-Sin gives the Raiders physical corners at the line of scrimmage, both tackling well. Additionally, Banks’ tackling skill and size could translate to safety.

109th Overall Pick (Dorian Williams, Linebacker, Tulane)

No Raiders linebacker kept opponents under a seventy-five percent completion percentage in 2022. They lacked the ability to flow from sideline to sideline. Teams would feast over the middle of the field, with linebackers arriving late, taking atrocious angles. Williams doesn’t drown in the deep waters of coverage. Maybe he starts are a coverage ‘backer, working his way into the starting rotation. Either way, Vegas benefits from instant athleticism.

142nd Overall Pick (Ryan Hayes, Offensive Tackle, Michigan)

Bloody nose and sliced mouthguard type of player. Should remind McDaniels physically of Nate Solder. However, the demeanor to finish blocks with a nastiness that stops at the shadow of the whistle remains his own. The right side of the offensive line hurt the team. Jermaine Eluemenor committed eleven penalties, of which six were false starts. Nothing like stalling a drive by a lack of physical discipline.

174th Overall Pick (Damarcco Hellams, Safety, Alabama)

Nine touchdowns allowed and completion percentages all above seventy percent do not inspire confidence. On balance, the Raiders need their last line of defense to improve. Trevon Moehrig wasn’t a McDaniels guy. Under the consequences and his relatively low cap hit means he needs to feel the heat. Hellams provides an upgrade over aging players and special teams alongside Moehrig. Hellams lives for the physical aspect of the game, separating receivers from the ball.

182nd Overall Pick (Dylan Horton, Edge Rusher, TCU)

Malcolm Koonce did not venture anywhere near the quarterback, tallying just two pressures. In fact, Maxx Crosby often looks alone in rushing the passer. No one expects Horton to command snaps. As a matter of fact, at this pick, he could serve as a project, a moldable player with athletic traits that can be molded into a depth end. As of right now, the Raiders and their twenty-seven sacks lack much burst off the edge with any regularity.

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216th Overall Pick (Cedrice Paillant, Guard, Marshall)

Despite playing the forty-third most sacks, Alex Bars allowed the fifth most sacks in 2022. Whoever throws the ball needs to feel comfortable. Paillant offers a phonebooth mentality with heavy hand and constant foot movement. Paillant thrives moving downhill and plays better covered up. Teams that want to batter opponents in the run game select players like Paillant

223rd Overall Pick (Kei’Trel Clark, Cornerback, Louisville)

As mentioned, the Raiders lack depth and talent at the corner. Equally disturbing, is the lack of explosion and playmaking ability. Clark breaks on the ball with abandon. While not the biggest corner, Clark’s tenacious nature overcomes size disparity. Moreover, he could bide his time on special teams, assisting the special teams coverage units.

253rd Overall Pick (Julian Fleming, Wide Receiver, Ohio State)

12.7 yards per catch. That’s what Mack Hollis averaged in 2022. Yet, the Raiders routinely tried to use him vertically. Consequently, teams would camp underneath, knowing that only Davante Adams could routinely get free. In all honesty, a top-five receiver should not routinely run go routes. Fleming offers a big target, decent hands, and an underrated blocking ability that fits what Vegas looks to do.